Vitiligo: what it is, and the treatment options that work

Reviewed by Dr [PLACEHOLDER], dermatologist · Last reviewed [PLACEHOLDER date]

Vitiligo causes patches of skin to lose their colour because the cells that make pigment stop working. It is not contagious. Treatment aims to stop the patches spreading and to bring colour back. Results differ from person to person, and they take time. This guide walks through each vitiligo treatment, from creams to light therapy, so you can talk it through with your dermatologist.

Vitiligo treatment: melanocytes, the pigment cells at the base of the epidermis — Melanocytes sit at the base of the top layer of skin. In vitiligo the immune system attacks them, and the skin above loses its colour. Illustration: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0

The two main types

Body outlines used to show where vitiligo patches appear

Non-segmental vitiligo usually appears on both sides of the body. Segmental vitiligo stays on one side or in one area. Illustration: NIAID Visual & Medical Arts, NIH BioArt (public domain)

Non-segmental vitiligo The most common type. Patches usually appear on both sides of the body and can spread over time. This is the type ruxolitinib cream is approved for (as Opzelura, age 12+).

Segmental vitiligo Affects one side or one area of the body and often stops spreading after a while.

Treatment options, step by step

Steroid creams. Often the first treatment tried for small areas.
Tacrolimus or pimecrolimus ointment. Often used on the face and thin skin.
Ruxolitinib cream. A JAK-inhibitor cream, approved in the US for non-segmental vitiligo in people aged 12 and over. Read about ruxolitinib cream for vitiligo →
Light therapy (narrowband UVB). Skin without pigment burns easily, so sun protection is part of every vitiligo treatment plan.Photo: Keren Fedida / Unsplash Clinic-based treatment, usually two to three sessions a week [PLACEHOLDER: reviewer to confirm].
Other options. Your dermatologist may discuss combinations or surgical options for stable patches.

How long results take

Repigmentation is slow. The original cream’s label says a satisfactory response may take more than 24 weeks of twice-daily use, and that you should be reassessed if there is no meaningful change by then.

Hair follicle, a source of returning pigment cells in vitiligo — Colour often returns as small dots around hair follicles, where spare pigment cells live. Areas with little hair, like hands and feet, tend to respond more slowly. Illustration: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0

Chart: trial results over 52 weeks [to be added]

Keep a photo diary of your progress →

What treatment costs

Option	What you pay for	Typical cost	Source
Steroid creams	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]
Tacrolimus ointment	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]
Ruxolitinib cream (Rutinib)	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]
Light therapy	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]	[PLACEHOLDER]

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